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Penn State Football: Grading James Franklin’s offseason

By Alec Whitaker

Sep 25, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin stands on the field during a warm up prior to the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin stands on the field during a warm up prior to the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Manny Diaz on the field during a warmup prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Manny Diaz on the field during a warmup prior to the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Staff Hires

James Franklin only had to replace one assistant coach this offseason.

The fact that Franklin was able to hang on to key assistants like Ja’Juan Seider and Anthony Poindexter is massive. Both of them were rumored to be involved in other jobs, with Seider linked to Florida as a position coach and Poindexter to Virginia as the head coach.

Holding on to both of them is a win.

The one assistant that Penn State needed to replace as a big one though.

Defensive coordinator Brent Pry left to be the head coach at Virginia Tech. Pry had been with Franklin since his Vanderbilt days and served as Penn State’s defensive coordinator since 2016.

Pry’s defense was one of the best in the nation in 2021. Franklin had to make a big hire.

The answer was former Miami head coach Manny Diaz. Diaz was let go by Miami after the 2021 season and Franklin wasted little time picking him up as the defensive coordinator.

Diaz’s time as a head coach was not great. The Hurricanes went 21-15 in three seasons under him.

As a defensive coordinator though, Diaz was great. The Hurricanes were top 20 in total defense in all three years that Diaz was the coordinator. This was highlighted in 2018 when the defensive finished the season fourth in the country in total defense.

Diaz’s defenses are notorious for causing chaos, with an emphasis on sacks and turnovers.

Only having to replace one coach is a big win. Bringing in one of the biggest names out there to lead the defense is another big win.

Grade: A+

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